Preparations for World Climate Conference Works start on the Bonn-Zone on Monday

Bonn · Following yesterday’s report, here are some further details on preparations in the Rheinaue and surrounding areas for the World Climate Conference COP 23 from 6 to 17 November.

Preparations in the Rheinaue for the World Climate Conference COP 23 from 6 to 17 November are in full swing. After workers dug long ditches through the Rheinaue in recent days to lay pipes, construction work will now begin on the container village on the Blumenwiese, which will be the main conference site for COP 23 alongside the World Conference Center Bonn (WCCB).

Parts of the Rheinaue will be fenced off and no longer accessible from the start of the construction phase on 14 August until the final dismantling at the end of December 2017. The structures will be completely removed after the conference. Until then, Charles-de-Gaulle-Straße on the bank of the Rhine will be completely closed, including any parking spaces, and most of the large car park on Ludwig-Erhard-Allee will be closed. The mini golf course will stay open along with several parking spaces.

Contrary to rumours, no trees will be felled

According to the Environment Ministry, the underground garages at Deutsche Welle and Deutsche Post will continue to be accessible. Access to Charles-de-Gaulle-Straße will be checked beyond the underground garages to ensure only residents and construction vehicles drive through.

With around 25,000 participants expected for the Climate Conference, the WCCB buildings, such as the former plenary chamber, the new conference buildings opposite, opened in 2015, and the Old Waterworks, are nowhere near big enough. The Environment Ministry, which is responsible for the COP 23 in Bonn, is therefore erecting a second conference site, the so-called Bonn-Zone, on the Blumenwiese, using temporary constructions (tents and containers).

The area of around 35,000 square metres, with country pavilions, the press centre and function rooms, will be a second central conference location for delegates, non-governmental organisations and representatives from environment and trade associations. Shuttle buses will connect the zone with the so-called Bula-Zone, which stretches over around 20,000 square metres from WCCB to Deutsche Welle and which will be the location for negotiations between delegates from the governments of 197 nations. The Environment Ministry will also make 600 bicycles available for use by participants.

“Bula” is the Fijian word for “Hello” or “Friendly”. The Republic of Fiji is assuming the presidency of COP 23. It was the turn of an Asian state to host the conference. When no-one was prepared to do so, Germany automatically took over the organisation because the UN Climate Secretariat is located in Bonn.

There is no truth in the rumours that trees needs to be cut down to construct the Bonn-Zone. “This claim continues to resurface,” said city spokesperson Monika Hörig. “No. No trees will be cut down for the construction.” (Orig. text: Lisa Inhoffen)

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